Monégasque franc

The franc (unofficially MCF) was the official currency of the Principality of Monaco until 1995 (de facto, 1996 de jure), when it changed to the French franc which was replaced by the euro in 2002.[1] The franc was subdivided into 100 centimes or 10 décimes. The Monégasque franc circulated alongside the French franc with the same value. Like the French franc, the Monégasque franc was revalued in 1960 at a rate of 100 old francs = 1 new franc.[2] The official euro-to-franc exchange rate was MCF 6.55957 to EUR 1.[3]

Monégasque franc
franc monégasque (French)
1978 1 Monégasque franc (reverse)
ISO 4217
CodeNone
(MFC unofficial)
Unit
Symbolfr. or F‎
Denominations
Subunit
 1⁄100centime
Coins10, 20, 50 centimes, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 francs
Demographics
User(s)None, previously:
 Monaco,
 France,
 Andorra
Issuance
MintMonnaie de Paris
 Websitewww.monnaiedeparis.com
Valuation
Pegged withFrench franc at par
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

    Today, Monégasque coins have only numismatic value, including the fleurs de coins, or proof-like coins. The period for exchange of the coins for euros has expired.

    The Monégasque franc was legal tender in Monaco, France and Andorra.

    Coins

    Monaco's first decimal coins were issued in 1837 and 1838, in denominations of 5 centimes, 1 decime and 5 francs. The 5 centimes and 1 decime were minted in both copper and brass and were the same size as the earlier French coins (France was not minting these denominations at the time) whilst the 5 francs matched the French coin. No further issues were made until 1882, from when gold 100 franc coins were issued until 1904.

    5 centimes 1837, Honoré V

    Between 1924 and 1926, aluminium-bronze 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs were issued of the same size as the French coins. In 1943, aluminium 1 and 2 francs were introduced followed by aluminium-bronze versions in 1945, alongside aluminium 5 francs. In 1946, cupronickel 10 francs were introduced, followed by 20 francs in 1947, a coin to which there was no corresponding French coin. In 1950, aluminium-bronze 10, 20 and 50 francs and cupro-nickel 100 francs were issued, with the size of the 100 francs reduced to match the French coin in 1956.

    When the franc was revalued in 1960, Monaco issued nickel 1 franc and silver 5 franc coins. In 1962, aluminium-bronze 10, 20, and 50 centime coins were added, followed by nickel 1⁄2 franc coins in 1965, nickel-clad cupronickel 5 francs in 1971, nickel-brass 10 francs in 1974, stainless steel 1 centime and aluminium-bronze 5 centimes in 1976, bi-metallic 10 francs in 1989, and tri-metallic 20 francs 1992, respectively. All of these coins matched the sizes and compositions of corresponding French coins.

    Coins of the Monégasque franc ("Old franc (Ancien franc) issue")
    Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of first minting
    Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse
    50 centimes 18 mm 2 g Aluminum-bronze Reeded Crowned monogram of Louis II, Hercules with bow Sword, coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi 1924
    1 franc 23 mm 4 g Aluminum-bronze Reeded Crowned monogram of Louis II, Hercules with bow Sword, coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi 1924
    1 franc 22.9 mm 1.5 mm 1.3 g Aluminum Smooth Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco 1943
    1 franc 23 mm 1.55 mm 4 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco 1945
    2 francs 27 mm 2 mm 2.25 g Aluminum Smooth Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco 1943
    2 francs 27 mm 2 mm 8 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco 1945
    5 francs 31 mm 2.4 mm 3.7 g Aluminum Smooth Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco 1945
    10 francs 26.1 mm 1.8 mm 7 g Copper-nickel Reeded Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco between olive sprigs 1946
    10 francs 20 mm 1.5 mm 3 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Crowned shield, text "10 FRS", "DEO JUVANTE" 1950
    20 francs 30 mm 2.05 mm 10 g Copper-nickel Reeded Louis II Coat of arms of Monaco between olive sprigs 1947
    20 francs 23.5 mm 1.6 mm 4.1 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Crowned shield, text "20 FRS", "DEO JUVANTE" 1950
    50 francs 27 mm 2 mm 8 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Armoured equestrian, text "DEO JUVANTE", "50 FRANCS" 1950
    100 francs 30 mm 2.40 mm 12 g Copper-nickel Reeded Rainier III Armoured equestrian, text "DEO JUVANTE", "100 FRANCS" 1950
    100 francs 24 mm 6 g Copper-nickel Reeded Rainier III Crowned shield, text "DEO JUVANTE", "100 FRANCS" 1956
    Coins of the Monégasque franc ("New franc (Nouveau franc) issue")
    Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of first minting
    Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse
    1 centime 15 mm 1.5 mm 1.65 g Stainless steel Smooth Coat of arms of Monaco; text "PRINCIPAUTE DE MONACO" Olive sprig; denomination "1 Cme"; year of issue 1976
    5 centimes 17 mm 2 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Armoured friar; text "5 CENTIMES"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1962
    10 centimes 20 mm 1.38 mm 3 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Armoured friar; text "10 CENTIMES"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1962
    20 centimes 23.5 mm 1.4 mm 4 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Armoured friar; text "20 CENTIMES"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1962
    50 centimes 25 mm 2 mm 7 g Aluminum-bronze Smooth Rainier III Armoured friar; text "50 CENTIMES"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1962
    1⁄2 franc 19.5 mm 2 mm 4.5 g Nickel Reeded Rainier III Crown overlapping shield; text "1/2 FR"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1965
    1 franc 24 mm 2 mm 6 g Nickel Reeded Rainier III Crown overlapping shield; text "1 FR"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1960
    2 francs 26.5 mm 7.5 g Nickel Reeded Rainier III Monogram of Rainier III 1979
    5 francs 29 mm 12 g .835 silver Reeded Rainier III Coat of arms of Monaco; text "5 F"; "DEO JUVANTE" 1960
    5 francs 29 mm 2 mm 10 g Copper-nickel Reeded Rainier III Monogram of Rainier III 1971
    10 francs 26 mm 10 g Copper-aluminum-nickel Reeded Rainier III Monogram of Rainier III superimposed on the coat of arms of Monaco 1975
    10 francs 23 mm 2.13 mm 6.5 g Bi-metallic (Nickel center in an aluminum-bronze ring) Segmented (Plain and reeded sections) Armoured knight; text "DEO JUVANTE" Denomination and monogram of Rainier III; text "PRINCIPAUTÉ DE MONACO"; "10F" 1989
    20 francs 26.8 mm 0.3 mm 9 g Tri-metallic (Aluminum-bronze center plug, with a nickel middle ring and an aluminum-bronze outer ring) Prince's Palace ("Palais Princier"); text "DEO JUVANTE" Denomination and monogram of Rainier III; text "PRINCIPAUTÉ DE MONACO"; "20F" 1992

    Banknotes

    The only Monégasque banknotes are dated 20 MARS 1920. There was an initial emergency issuance of 25 and 50 centime and 1 franc notes on 28 April 1920, followed by a second issued of 25 centime and 1 franc notes with different color schemes. The violet 25 centime notes are available with and without embossing, which was used to validate the notes, but the process was soon discontinued as a cost-cutting measure. The embossed notes have a crowned shield with diamond pattern at center, encircled by the text Principauté de Monaco, and are available with circles of two different diameters.[4][5]

    See also

    References
    1. "Monaco Euro Coins". Eurocoins.co.uk. 1 January 2002. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
    2. Ordonnance n°58-1341 du 27 décembre 1958 NOUVEAU FRANC
    3. "Conversion from Franc to Euro". xe.com. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
    4. Linzmayer, Owen (2012). "Monaco". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com.
    5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2007-03-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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